FEBRUARY 2025

We’re so excited to celebrate the fifth year of the Girls on the Run program here in Westwood! Since its launch in spring 2021 by Christy McKenney, Erin Colleran and me, this amazing program has expanded to all four elementary schools, inspiring and empowering young girls. And we’re thrilled to announce that starting this spring, Girls on the Run will also be offered at Thurston Middle School!
 
Through its unique mix of social-emotional learning and physical activity, Girls on the Run (grades 3-5) and its sister program, Heart & Sole (grades 6-8), equip participants with life skills, confidence, and resilience—all while training for a celebratory 5K event.
 
Registration is now open at all FIVE schools! Don’t miss the chance to join this life-changing program. Sign up today at girlsontherunboston.org
 
Let’s keep the momentum going—empowering girls one step at a time!

Back from the west coast for a visit to the town she and her husband, Peter, called home for more than 40 years, Dr. Patti Giuliano sat across from me in the waiting room of Westwood Family Chiropractic, a parade of practice members with ear-to-ear smiles passing through for a hug. You could feel the love in the air as we prepared to chat about Dr. Patti’s book, “Holy ___, I’m Gonna Be A Mom! What Was I Thinking?”
 
Indeed, Dr. Patti is the mom of two, Katie and Christopher, and has compiled a collection of her experiences on paper, providing a how-to recipe for the parenting journey.
 
“Everything that I had done in my life up to the point of having my first child, I was in control of it and I was able to make anything happen,” she said. “Then I had my first child and I realized, ‘Oh my God, I cannot control this process. I cannot control who this spirit-being is,’ and I was having a really hard time as a parent. I was trying to be the perfect parent.”
 
That emotion and pressure to be perfect is not unusual, and the lessons Dr. Patti learned over 30+ years served as her motivation to pass on some words of wisdom (and humor) to younger parents just starting their journeys, and veteran parents who inevitably flip through the pages and say, ‘I can relate to that.’
 
“The book really chronicles my background as a child myself and then my thought patterns and how I wanted to parent my kids,” said Dr. Patti. “I say in the book, and I say to Katie all the time, ‘You are my greatest teacher. Both of them have been my greatest teachers, but Katie more so, and I’ve learned patience, I’ve learned compassion, I’ve learned unconditional love, and I HAD to learn that.”
 
As parents, we encounter situations we can never truly prepare for. The stories in Dr. Patti’s book aim to ease your mind a bit and provide some suggestions for solutions that could make a difference.
 
“I want people who read it to say, ‘Patti, I could relate to so many stories.’ It runs the gamut from pre-birth and birthing all the way up to assisting your dying parents and honoring their wishes. I want people to say that it was funny, that they learned so much and they couldn’t put it down.”
 
You can get your copy of “Holy __, I’m Gonna Be A Mom! What Was I Thinking?” on Amazon.com or by visiting Dr. Patti’s website at www.drpattigiuliano.com.
 
Listen to my full conversation with Dr. Patti Giuliano in Episode 127 of the Westwood Living Podcast, available on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube and Facebook.

Recently, a friend shared a beautiful thought with me:
 
“Today, I read that butterflies rest when it rains because it damages their wings. It’s okay to rest during the storms of life. You’ll fly again when it’s over.”
 
As someone living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), this quote struck a chord. Like butterflies, those of us with MS – and others managing chronic medical conditions or living life as “spoonies” – face moments when it feels impossible to move forward. Whether it’s fatigue or pain, these challenges can feel particularly difficult during the winter months, when the cold exacerbates symptoms, daylight is fleeting, and isolation feels heavier. But I’ve learned that resting during those moments isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a powerful act of self-preservation. And when the skies clear, we rise again, ready to take flight.
 
This spirit of resilience is at the heart of the 3rd Annual MS Evening of Hope, taking place on Monday, March 3. The Blooming Hope Foundation is thrilled to host this event at The Skating Club of Boston. The evening promises delicious food, handcrafted cocktails, and a silent auction brimming with one-of-a-kind items and experiences. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to support those navigating life’s storms and help provide access to critical MS patient care resources that may often be overlooked by larger corporations.
 
Living with MS has taught me the importance of community and support. Each of us, in our own way, can help those struggling to find their footing during the difficult days or winter’s chill. Whether through your presence at our event or a simple act of kindness throughout the year, you have the power to lift someone’s wings.
 
I hope you’ll consider joining us for this special evening. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that everyone has the chance to soar again.
 
With hope and butterfly wings,
 
Paula Bezdedeanu
 
Blooming Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on providing resources and support for those living with MS. For more information, please visit www.bloominghopefoundation.com

It’s with great pleasure we share the news that Christina Eldamaa, a member of Westwood High School’s Class of 2024, was awarded a $1,500 scholarship to support her pursuit of a career in the male-dominated field a field of orthopedic surgery, with a specialty in sports medicine.
 
Christina spent her first semester as a Northeastern University student in Thessaloniki, Greece, beginning work toward her undergraduate degree. During her time at Westwood High school, Christina earned a 3.94 GPA, served as president of the Westwood High Medical Club, captain of Varsity Cheerleading, Student Council officer, and secretary of Cancer Kids First Westwood. She was also featured on the January, 2023 cover of Westwood Living for her work with Cancer Kids First Westwood.
 
As a Lebanese woman, it is important to Christina that she inspires other women to re-write the narratives surrounding male dominance and male education in her culture. She has represented Lebanon in international competitions as a rhythmic gymnast and volunteered to empower young gymnasts through coaching.
 
In a letter to our review committee, Christina wrote, “I am honored to receive this award and truly appreciate all of your support. The opportunity to study abroad in Thessaloniki, Greece not only allowed me to embrace a new culture and language, but also a different style of learning, which has allowed me to gain independence and personally grow as a student. I look forward to starting my next semester on Northeastern’s Boston campus, where I hope to share with my community the global perspective I received abroad.”
 
We are now accepting applications from Westwood students who would like to be considered as a candidate for a Women’s Empowerment Scholarship in 2025. Please visit our website at womensempowermentscholarship.org and click on the APPLY tab to find the application.

Gabrielle Bernadeau, a senior at Westwood High School, is the embodiment of resilience, determination, and boundless potential. Poised on the threshold of a bright future, her journey is a testament to courage, transformation, and triumph.
 
Rooted in her Haitian heritage and shaped by her parents’ unwavering influence, Gabrielle learned the value of ambition and balance early on. Her mother’s nurturing presence instilled compassion and perseverance, while her father’s tireless work ethic inspired her to dream boldly.
 
“They shaped me into who I am,” she reflects, a warm smile breaking through. “But there’s also this part of me that’s just me—thoughtful, caring, and deeply committed to others.”
 
Her education has been just as transformative. Through the METCO program, Gabrielle navigated the contrast between urban and suburban schooling. Early on, the long bus rides, unfamiliar privileges, and structured classrooms were daunting, but by sixth grade, she found her footing in Westwood, embracing her potential and emerging as a leader.
 
This year, Gabrielle took center stage as the student keynote speaker at the 40th anniversary METCO Directors’ Conference, addressing nearly 600 educators. She spoke with heartfelt sincerity, honoring the teachers and mentors who shaped her journey.
 
“Gabrielle delivered an inspiring keynote,” said Tim Piwowar, Superintendent of Westwood Public Schools, who was among the 30 Westwood educators moved by her words.
 
For Lateefah Franck, Westwood’s METCO Director and president of the METCO Directors’ Association, choosing Gabrielle was instinctive.
 
“The moment I spoke with her and read her words, I just knew – it’s you,” she recalled. “There was never a doubt.”
 
Gabrielle credits Chanel Taylor, her 6th grade METCO liaison, as a defining figure in her journey.
 
“She left an indelible mark on my life,” she says. “I made a promise to make her proud. I hope I’ve lived up to it.”
 
A smile softens her serious tone as she adds, “My favorite memory was all of us crammed into her tiny office after school, laughing and talking. She was like a school parent – strict, but always loving.”
 

Get To Know Gabrielle

 
Despite earning a 3.8 GPA, the Massachusetts Student Achievement Award, and the prestigious John & Abigail Adams Scholarship, Gabrielle’s journey has been anything but easy.
 
“Gabrielle isn’t just diligent, she’s driven,” says Lateefah Franck. “She’s fearless in pursuit of her dreams, never waiting for doors to open. She knocks, asks the right questions, and follows through with relentless determination.”
 
Her tone heavy with the weight of prejudice, Gabrielle said, “Being the only person of color in the classroom meant proving myself twice as hard. I learned to turn doubts into fuel for my success. There were times when teachers doubted my capabilities, even when my grades clearly proved otherwise.”
 
Amid these struggles, Gabrielle found strength and solace in the tight-knit METCO community, a family-like network of peers who shared and supported each other’s journeys.
 
“Together, we became each other’s support system, lifting each other up when things felt overwhelming,” she said, pointing out her refusal to let those moments define her.
 
Lateefah Franck describes Gabrielle as a rare blend of strength and grace.
 
“She speaks her truth with honesty and heart, bringing people in rather than pushing them away. She’s so young, yet she already gets it. I admire that. I’m just proud of her.”
 
Beyond academics, Gabrielle is deeply involved in Roots, a student-led initiative dedicated to fostering inclusivity and change. She has also led the Westwood cheer team with passion and perseverance, serving as captain for the past two years.
 
“Cheer taught me resilience – pushing through challenges and growing stronger in the process,” she reflects.
 
Gabrielle’s calling runs deeper than academics and leadership. When her mother faced a life-threatening childbirth complication, she discovered her passion for medicine.
 
“I want to be the kind of doctor who truly connects with women during their most vulnerable moments,” she says. “As an OB-GYN, I can care for their health while making a real impact in their lives.”
 
Whether excelling in the classroom, leading her cheer team, or championing inclusivity, Gabrielle embodies transformation. Every challenge has become a steppingstone, shaping her into a young woman ready to leave her mark.
 
“Challenges aren’t obstacles,” she says. “They’re opportunities. Every step of my journey has prepared me for what’s next, and I’m ready to meet the future head-on.”
 
Gabrielle Bernadeau is more than a high school senior. She’s a visionary, a trailblazer, and a force for change. Her resilience doesn’t just break barriers; it redefines what’s possible.
 
Congratulations, Gabrielle, for being this month’s Standout Student! Nominate a future Tinsley Team Standout Student of the Month by emailing Diana Bezdedeanu at dbezdedeanu@bestversionmedia.com and if you’d like to give back to your community and sponsor a regular feature in Westwood Living, contact Tom Leyden at tleyden@bestversionmedia.com

We love our Hale community, and that’s why we’re waiving parking fees on Valentine’s Day! We hope you enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors with your loved ones, whether that’s a partner, child, buddy, or four-legged friend. And since regular self-care is important, remember our Annual Parking Pass can make spending time together easy year-round.

 
Winter break might seem like a distant memory, but school vacations are nearly here again. School Vacation Days in February and April can get your 4–12-year-old outside for shelter-building, orienteering, hiking, mountain biking, and winter activities (weather permitting). On a similar note, our one-week Pre-Camp Programs are perfect for the tail end of the school year.

 
Summer program registration is well underway, too. Waitlists are growing for Hale Summer Camps, and Hale’s Family and Community Program recently introduced new season-long passes that will make South Beach more affordable for everyone. Passes include access to South Entrance parking lots and amenities: private beach with guarded swimming and communal beach toys, picnic areas, playgrounds, restrooms, rinse stations, volleyball and basketball courts, canoes, kayaks, and more. À la carte swimming lessons will open for registration later this spring. Head over to our website to learn about these programs.

 
Speaking of spring, Westwood Community Trails will explore Rocky Woods on March 1, and mountain biking is just around the corner, too. Have you checked out Everwild Women’s MTB Day or the Final de Barro MTB Race? Mark your calendar and sign up now, because as soon as mud season ends, trails will be ready to ride in May!

 
Learn about these activities and more at hale.education. We hope to see you outside soon!

Hale Education’s 1,250 acres of adventure include 20+ miles of trails and four ponds, all right at your doorstep. Throughout winter, Hale is open daily from 8 AM–5 PM. A $10 daily parking fee (payable upon arrival) provides use of lots accessible via its Main Entrance at 80 Carby Street. Its South Entrance on Bruné Way is closed until summer.

The staff at Westwood Media Center is pleased to announce the debut of “Superintendent Office Hours,” a recurring series with Westwood’s Superintendent of Schools, Tim Piwowar.
 
Now in his second year as Superintendent, Piwowar will field questions submitted by residents during each segment. The program will be available for viewing on the WMC channels on Verizon and Xfinity cable systems, in addition to the WMC social media and YouTube channels.
 
Before each episode is taped, we will solicit questions from the community. Be sure to follow the WMC social media accounts for the link to our Google form.

One surefire way to anger an entire grade of students? Change the privileges they were promised and expected to enjoy. At Westwood High School, privileges are essential to student life, especially for students who have been expecting these privileges since they stepped into the building. Traditionally, sophomores have been allotted certain freedoms, including the privilege of not having to sign into their free block (a period of unstructured time where they could catch up on work, socialize, or simply take a break).
 
This year, however, a major shift has upended these expectations. In a sudden and unexpected policy change, sophomores are now required to sign in to their free blocks unless they have a designated study period on their schedule. This new reality has proved a widespread disappointment to the sophomore class. For students like me, this change feels like a punishment for no apparent reason. The sophomore class has consistently stayed out of trouble and upheld a good reputation, so why the sudden restriction?
 

The implications of this policy go beyond mere inconvenience. Free blocks have always been an essential reprieve for students juggling their rigorous academic demands, extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities. These moments of unstructured time provided a chance to socialize or get ahead on homework – a break Westwood students desperately need. Now, sophomore students are being forced to sit in the cafe or auditorium for an hour during this block, and neither have proved a suitable place to work. They are often filled with distractions and not to mention, freshmen. Sophomores are not even granted the liberty of simply entering the library. Instead, we must email the librarians or fill out a Google form the morning-of to have a chance to spend a free block there. Not only is this process time-consuming, it’s easy to forget and reflects an exceeding tone of patronization from the administration.
 
By taking away our privileges, the administration is not simply enforcing stricter policies, they are diminishing the trust and autonomy students value. First, it was the new phone policy, and now this? The change feels like an unnecessary restriction on our liberties, one that diminishes the very principles of balance and well-being the high school so frequently tells us we need to be exercising. It’s hard not to wonder: what did we, the sophomore class, do to deserve this?
 
As a student myself, I understand the need for structure and rules, but stripping away freedoms without justification? How, in any way, is that preparing us for the future? It completely undermines our sense of agency and respect within the school’s community. In a school like Westwood High, where students are constantly pushed to meet high expectations, free blocks were a small but significant acknowledgment of our efforts and maturity. Losing them is not just a logistical inconvenience, it’s a blow to the sense of independence that this high school is supposed to nurture.

Every single one of us knows how hard it is to build something meaningful – whether it’s a business, a family, or even just a better version of ourselves. It’s exhausting. It’s messy. It’s uncertain. And yet, you keep showing up. Why? Because deep down, you know that greatness isn’t handed to us. It’s created – one decision, one moment of courage, one small act of love at a time.
 
Fataneh Dowlatshahi understood this. She took a leap of faith nearly 13 years ago and built BiBi Bakery & Cafe – not just as a business but as a sanctuary, a home, a place where all of us could come together to share not just food but life itself. Her journey reminds us that the greatest things in life are born from resilience, grit, and an unwavering belief in what’s possible.
 
Now, as we embrace 2025, we must embrace that same spirit. Change will come – it always does. Growth will stretch us – it always will. But it’s in those moments, the hard ones, that we find out who we really are. The truth is, you already have everything you need to rise to the occasion. You’ve proven it time and time again. I’ve seen it in you – in your strength, your kindness, your willingness to show up, even when it’s hard.
 
We can do this. Together. We will face whatever comes our way. We will grow, not because it’s easy, but because we must. We will build on the foundation laid before us and create something extraordinary. Because that’s what this community does. That’s what love does.
 
Because love is the foundation of all we do, and love is the secret – not so secret – ingredient of BiBi. It’s what binds us, fuels us, and propels us forward.
 
So here’s to you. To us. To resilience, to growth, and to a future filled with possibility.

Semaglutide, a groundbreaking medication originally developed to manage Type 2 diabetes, has recently emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against obesity and related diseases. By addressing the root causes of weight gain and metabolic dysfunction, semaglutide is transforming lives and reshaping the conversation around weight management and public health.
 
Proven Benefits for Weight Loss
 
Semaglutide mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which regulates appetite and food intake. Clinical studies have shown that patients using semaglutide can lose significant weight, often exceeding 15% of their body weight. This level of effectiveness far surpasses previous medications, offering new hope to those struggling with obesity.
 
Impact on Disease Prevention
 
Beyond weight loss, semaglutide may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Obesity is a major risk factor for conditions like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Semaglutide helps lower blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure, and improve cholesterol through sustained weight loss. These changes can lead to fewer hospitalizations and lower long-term healthcare costs.
 
Economic Implications
 
The economic impact of semaglutide extends beyond individual health benefits. According to recent estimates, obesity-related healthcare costs in the U.S. exceed $170 billion annually. By reducing the prevalence of obesity and associated illnesses, semaglutide can potentially decrease these expenses significantly. Additionally, healthier individuals contribute to increased workplace productivity and lower absenteeism, benefiting businesses and the economy as a whole.
 
A Path Forward
 
While semaglutide represents a major step forward, it’s not without challenges. Accessibility and affordability remain barriers for many patients. However, as awareness grows and insurance coverage expands, more people may gain access to this life-changing medication.
 
Semaglutide is not just a weight-loss drug; it’s a catalyst for improved health and well-being. By helping to reduce disease and enhancing quality of life, it offers a brighter future for millions. As research continues and accessibility improves, the potential of semaglutide to transform healthcare and the economy becomes even more promising.

In Episode 23 of The Wolverine Report podcast, Evan Cardimino and I sat down with Westwood Sports Hall of Fame Members Jim and Joe Fabiano. Jim and Joe are one of three parent/child duos in the Westwood Sports Hall of Fame, and it was a pleasure to discuss how important sports are to them, their times at Westwood High School, and the effect their competitiveness had on their post-sports careers.
 
Morgan – When you think about your time at Westwood High School, how special was it for both of you and what are some of those memories that come to mind immediately when you think about your time at Westwood?
 
Jim – I’ll start, Joey. I feel tremendously fortunate. I was actually born in Dedham. My father and mother went to Dedham High School. My dad is a Hall of Famer at Dedham High, so I thought we were going to be Dedham Marauders, you know? As fate would have it, my parents moved us to Westwood, I think I was one or two years old. Certainly, I was thrilled with that move. I don’t know if Dedham Athletics is thrilled with that, but it’s been an unbelievable journey, an unbelievable experience, a phenomenal town to grow up in and certainly play sports in.
 
Joe – It was incredibly special. At a young age, I quickly realized how important Westwood was to my family. I had three aunts, a father and an uncle all in the Hall of Fame, grandparents that grew up in Dedham, but eventually moved to Westwood, and it became a really important part of their lives and eventually became a big part of mine. When I got to Westwood High, it felt like I’d reached the major leagues after hearing about it for so long and realizing how important it was to my family. I just learned to appreciate it a lot more, maybe, than some others at an earlier age. I made so many friendships over the years. Obviously, a lot of success and a lot of special memories.
 
Morgan – Jim, you batted .500 your senior year in high school. That’s unheard of. Were you just dialed in?
 
Jim – You know what, I was, I guess, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Coach Downes. What a legendary coach, a legendary man. How fortunate I was, and we were, to play for him and know him. He just lived life the right way, with integrity and in the way he approached not only life, but the game. I don’t know how many days he was out there and it’s 45 degrees out, we’re trying to take batting practice, and our fingers are gonna break in two. He’s just throwing batting practice and so devoted and such a great guy, a great human. He passed away recently and I miss him terribly. We got a chance to celebrate his life at the end of the month, and then I guess we’re going to do an alumni game in the spring in his honor, so I really look forward to that.
 
Evan – Both of you have another special connection to an organization, the Italian Home for Children. Can you tell us a little bit about your involvement with that organization and how important it is for you guys to give back?
 
Joe – It’s a pretty amazing place. I became ingrained in it early in my life, probably around the age of 10 when my father was a board member for years. It’s a place for underprivileged children and for me, it’s just great to have an opportunity to give back in my spare time – and something that’s been a big part of my life since I was a young person. When I got older, in my professional career, and had some free time, we started the Emerging Leader group. It’s been a great opportunity to give back.
 
Morgan – Do you see a strong correlation between the things you’ve learned in sports carrying over to your professional life?
 
Jim – The only time I ever answered – wait, do you guys know what a classified ad is? – We used to have a “Help Wanted” section in the Boston Globe. It was thick and filled with jobs that were posted. That’s how you found a job, you know? The only ad I ever answered, the headline said, ‘Sports-Minded,’ and I thought, ‘That’s for me!’ I answered it, and it was an insurance company looking for salespeople.
I asked the guy I was talking to what that had to do with sports, and he said, ‘Team-oriented, competitive, right down the list.’ From that point I knew it made perfect sense. Later on, when I got a chance to be a manager and hire people, I started using a ‘Sports-Minded’ themed ad, for the very same reason, because I think there is a direct correlation.
 
Morgan – What would you guys say to Westwood High School students that aren’t involved in sports today? They might be freshmen, sophomores. Why should they get involved, and what are some of the positive benefits that might carry over if they get themselves involved?
 
Jim – I would absolutely encourage them to do it. Playing professional baseball changed my way of looking at youth sports, and I realized that it’s extraordinarily difficult to get to that point. Why not, then, enjoy the ride and not put as much emphasis on the winning part of it? If you can get with the right team and the right coach that has the right approach, whether it’s youth baseball or high school baseball or what have you, jump with a chance to be part of that. Push yourself to try something. Whether it works or doesn’t work, it’s the trying that matters more than you know. If you are able to participate and say I tried, I think it’s worth it.
 
Watch our full conversation with the Fabianos in Episode 23 of The Wolverine Report, and be sure to subscribe to the Westwood Media Center YouTube channel to receive notifications when new episodes are released.

It doesn’t take long to spot #10. In every case, you hear Sasha Marino before you see her, and that dates back to her pre-teen years. It’s not possible to find a more vocal or supportive teammate in the town of Westwood.
 
“I think both my parents have raised me so well,” said Sasha as we chatted via Zoom, laughing at her commitment to chatter and supportive banter. “If you want to say something, get it out. You have no idea what someone else is going through. Just giving someone a little something at the beginning of their day. Someone makes a great move at practice – you just acknowledge it. You don’t know how much it could affect them.”
 
Having stood in the dugout as Sasha’s coach, I can personally attest to the positive impact her vocal support has on the entire team. If #10 isn’t chirping, something’s wrong.
 
“No coach wants a kid with an attitude problem,” she said. “Coaches are looking for someone who’s positive, and I think that’s what helped in my recruiting process.”
 
We’ll get to Sasha’s commitment to play hockey at Assumption University soon enough, but the journey to that point is too good to gloss over. There’s a lot to digest, and a lot to appreciate.
 
The second of Paul and Alana Marino’s four children, Sasha is the personification of grit, competitiveness, humility and drive. She has excelled on the ice, on the diamond and in the classroom while maintaining an appreciation for her roots and a connection to her hometown, though she’s spent the last two years managing a unique academic and athletic structure.
 
As she prepared for her junior year, with the support of her family, Sasha made the choice to attend the North American Hockey Academy, in Braintree – for a portion of the school year. NAHA offers girls in grades 8-12 the opportunity to receive an excellent education while competing in a high-performance hockey program.
 
“There’s the six-month program and the nine-month program, and I participate in the six-month program,” she said. “I’m taking five core classes this year, and I’m still getting the same credits I would if I was taking them at Westwood. That’s why I chose the six-month program, because I want to graduate from Westwood.”
 
In each of the last two years, Sasha began her studies at Westwood High, then shifted over to NAHA within the first month. She returns to Westwood at the end of March for the remainder of the school year and plays softball with the Wolverines in the spring.
 
“My roommate here is from Hungary,” said Sasha. “She plays for their national team. She’s incredible. One of our goalies is from Scotland. We have eight or nine girls from Wisconsin, a couple of girls from Canada, California is represented, Illinois. A few local girls. We’re really spread out.”
 
Spread out, but united as a team on and off the ice with each girl pursuing opportunities at the next level. For Sasha, the chance to play Division I NCAA Hockey at Assumption is exactly what she was hoping for when she enrolled at NAHA.
 
“I didn’t really have a lot of options until junior year, and that’s kind of a late start,” she said. “You should be contacting these coaches during freshman and sophomore year, which I was, but I didn’t quite have the reputation. My mom took me on a tour of Assumption during spring break of my junior year and I loved it. After I visited, the head coach resigned, so when the new coach took over, I emailed him saying, ‘I’d love to get to know you.’ It really picked up from there. He started coming out of his way to see me at other showcases. We had a couple of calls, and then in August before senior year, I got a verbal offer and I accepted it.”
 
With her college choice made, Sasha now gets to focus on finishing strong academically and athletically. She aims to graduate with honors, and there’s a Tri-Valley League softball championship to defend.
She’ll enter her senior season as a second-year captain and returning TVL All-Star, hoping to cap her scholastic career with a memorable exclamation point.
 
“I know we have a really good group of freshmen coming up, so I hope to start weaving them into our group, building more chemistry between all the girls,” she said. “I want to see us win the state championship. You know that we can! We have the talent. We just need the consistency.”
 
Seeing that goal in print will hopefully inspire her teammates, something Sasha’s been doing since she was 10-years-old.
 
“Sasha has great drive and passion for softball,” said Westwood coach Tom Grandy. “She has a joyful disposition and positive energy for her teammates. She is always trying to uplift her teammates and genuinely cares about helping them succeed.”
 
When her athletic days are over, she has big goals in mind.
 
“I am going to major in pre-law and then I’m going to try and minor in both political science and Spanish. If I’m not being a defense attorney, I’m going to try and be a prosecutor, but I also have this nagging side of me that wants to be a politician, so we’re going to see where that goes.”
 
Whatever path Sasha follows, it will be a positive one. Be sure to come watch a softball game this spring, and follow your ears. It will be impossible to miss #10.
 
If you want to nominate someone to be a future Dental Arts of Westwood Athlete of the Month, email Diana Bezdedeanu at dbezdedeanu@bestversionmedia.com

The Westwood High School All Night Grad Party (ANGP) has been a cherished tradition for over 30 years, made possible only through the unwavering support of the community. Among the most inspiring contributors is the Folsom family. Beyond serving the community through the Folsom Funeral Homes, the Folsoms have been steadfast supporters of the ANGP for decades. They are also a family deeply rooted in Westwood, spanning three generations of WHS graduates: E. Jane (Anderson) Folsom, a 1949 alumna; her son, Bob, a 1973 graduate who married Donna (Jacobs), a 1975 graduate; and their children—Sarah (2001), Brian (2003), and Julia (2007).
 
When their children attended Westwood High School, Donna began an eight-year tenure as an ANGP volunteer. During this time, the Folsom Funeral Home expanded to Norwood, and the ANGP needed a storage space. Donna and Bob graciously offered the use of their garage at the Norwood location at no cost.
 
The Folsom family business provided storage for over 20 years, as teams of creative volunteers constructed decorations to transform the high school into a memorable setting for the senior class party. After the 2024 ANGP, Bob approached the team about finding a new storage solution. With support from the high school and particularly the facilities team, a new storage location was secured. As anyone knows, staying in one location over time leads to the accumulation of “stuff,” which occurred for the ANGP in that garage space over 20+ years. The stuff included piles of decorations used for tiki and surfboard-filled luaus, replicas of Fenway staples like Wally the Green Monster and the Citgo sign, and banners from every New England college.
 
Sorting through the inventory was a daunting task, to say the least. While talking with my family about the circumstances, my son, Kyle Harvey, a 2025 senior, offered to help. Kyle rallied a team of friends and fellow National Honor Society members seeking service hours, including Sean Blomquist, Max Boehl, Brady Dumais, Gunther Guleserian, Ethan Lowe, and Jack Stuehler. Armed with trucks and determination, they tackled the mountain of decorations, sorting items into trash, recycling, and materials to keep for storage. Their hard work turned a once-overwhelming task into a manageable project. Sweeping the garage floor and closing the door on a well-organized storage space was a moment of triumph for everyone involved.
 
We want to express our deepest gratitude to the Folsom family for their decades of support and volunteerism. They exemplify the spirit of the Westwood community, which is vital to the success of this event. We also thank the group of seniors who stepped up to help with the move and, the many community members who have served as ANGP volunteers more than 30 years, spending countless hours creating an unforgettable experience for graduates. In addition to the ANGP, these volunteers bring seniors the Promenade, Grad Walk around Flahive Field, and senior yard signs.
 
We’re always seeking new volunteers and sponsors to ensure the ANGP tradition continues for generations to come. If you’d like to contribute, please email us at westwoodangp@gmail.com.